From left, the top finishers in the spelling bee were Ryn Nilsson, Burton Elementary, third place; Jennilee Anderson, Holbrook Elementary, second place; and Andrew Waterhouse, Boulton Elementary, first place.

The annual Davis School District Spelling Bee crowned winners last week. It took 10 rounds and nearly 2-1/2 hours to determine the top spellers among the 65 participants from throughout the county who qualified earlier this year.

First place went to Andrew Waterhouse, a fifth grader from Boulton Elementary. He takes with him a $3,000 scholarship, a trophy (donated by the Bountiful Rotary) and a gift basket full of prizes, gift cards and candy.

Second place went to Jennilee Anderson, a fifth grader from Holbrook Elementary. She received a $1,500 scholarship, a trophy, and a gift basket. The third place recipient was Ryn Nilsson, a sixth grader from Burton Elementary. She received a $1,000 scholarship, a trophy, and a gift basket.

Organizer Sydney King said the evening started by inviting two parents and new Davis School District Superintendent Reid Newey, up onto the stage to compete in a spell-off. They were each presented with very challenging words, and “let’s just say, each speller proved that it is very difficult to be up on that stage spelling words they are not familiar with.”

“On a personal note, we wish every single one of the kids could take home a prize,” King said. “They each had worked so hard to prepare to compete, and it just breaks my heart when they misspell a word and see their disappointment and dejection. I heard a few quietly crying on their way out of the auditorium. I hope they know they are all still winners, just for making it that far, and for all of the knowledge they gained from the experience that we hope will make them better students, and better prepared for what lies ahead in their lives.”

She thanked her great group of volunteers along with the sponsors of the spelling bee: